Air, Freight News


East Midlands reveals cargo plans

[ May 21, 2025   //   ]

East Midlands Airport unveiled plans to make land around its runway available for development and meet a predicted 54% growth in demand for cargo services over the next 20 years.

The blueprint revealed on 21 March at UKREiiF, the UK’s major real estate investment and infrastructure forum in Leeds, detailed four sites totalling more than 50 hectares that have been earmarked. 

Two of the plots have tax site status as part of the East Midlands Freeport, for which East Midlands Airport is the primary port, with tax incentives and simplified customs processes. 

Three of the sites would have direct access to the runway, through new taxiways and space to park up to 18 extra aircraft. The proposals also outline a total of 122,000sq m of warehousing along with up to 51,000sq m of landside yard space. 

The plan builds on a recent study by specialist air travel consultants York Aviation/MDS Transmodal on behalf of East Midlands Airport, which showed the potential for strong express freight growth at the site, with volumes growing from 370,000 tonnes to 491,000 tonnes by 2030 and then to 583,000 tonnes by 2043.

EMA says that 85% of the UK population is within a four-hour truck drive and 81% of large-scale warehousing is within 200km. It has fewer night flying restrictions than other airports, allowing 24-hour operation, no slot constraints and with cargo aircraft prioritised equally with passenger flights. The runway offers direct access to cargo integrator hubs.

EMA managing director, Steve Griffiths,  said: “EMA is already one of the most important airports in the UK, forming the backbone of express freight that powers the growth of advanced manufacturing and other high-value industries. It is the hub that connects much of the country to the world’s most important markets for trade. 

“Analysis shows we have the potential for significant growth in the coming years and in order to meet this growth, we have identified development opportunities to enhance our cargo infrastructure. Our plan for growth will bolster the airport’s pivotal role in powering UK trade, with tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic value set to be unlocked by enhancing EMA’s cargo operation. We have four plots, a completely open mind over how those plots should developed and are open to suggestions for investment mechanisms that would unlock their potential.”

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward, who launched the regional vision for growth at UKREiiF, said: “With up to £1.8 billion in additional added valueand 12,600 new jobs by 2030—and even greater gains by 2043 – this is a nationally significant opportunity to meet the growing demand for air freight services, strengthen our role in global trade, and create thousands of high-quality jobs for local people.”

EMA says it is now open to expressions of interest from potential developers to take the opportunities forward: https://www.magairports.com/work-with-us/aviation/east-midlands-airport.

Tags: